ATSUM calls bandh following arrest of three leaders

Our Correspondent
Imphal, April 6 (EMN): Normal life in the hill districts of Manipur was affected on Tuesday after the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) and its supporting organisations called an emergency shutdown/bandh from 10 am over the arrest of three of its leaders.

 Reports said three ATSUM leaders were arrested from their respective places last night in connection with the student body’s agitation over the delay of autonomous district councils (ADC) election in Manipur.

With the emergency shutdown coming into force, normal services of the inter-district passenger and other inter-state vehicle services had been affected in some areas. Markets were also closed in the hill towns.

However there are no reports of suspending the emergency shutdown/bandh called by ATSUM till the filing of the report even though the state authority reportedly invited the ATSUM for talks in Imphal.

It may be mentioned that ATSUM had been continuing its agitation against the report of delay in holding ADC elections to the six ADCs of Churachandpur, Sadar Hills, Senapati, Chandel, Tamenglong and Ukhrul in the state.

On Monday, responding to the ATSUM’s clarion call to extend solidarity and cooperation to its proposed agitation over the delay in holding elections to the six ADCs, the supporters of ATSUM launched office picketing agitation in the hill areas of the state, reports said.

However the state authority through a press note on Monday, announced to conduct the much demanded elections to the six ADCs on or before June 25 this year.

According to the press note, it said that a decision had been taken in this regard after detailed discussion with the relevant government departments, with representatives of ATSUM and Demand Committee for creation of ADCs in a meeting on Monday.

The state government was represented by Ministers Losii Dikho(PHED),Vungzagin Valte(Tribal Affairs and Hills) and chairman K Leishiyo of Hill Area Committee, besides officials of department of Tribal Affairs & Hills, government of Manipur, it said.